Tamiya 1/48 scale Bristol Beaufighter MK VI
Aircraft: No. 604 Squadron, Scotland 1943-45
Years ago (probably decades ago) I managed to grab a copy of the two volume set of Edward Jablonski’s book, Airwar. I remember this was the first time I had ever seen or heard of the Beaufighter. The aircraft was well illustrated in the Airwar book with some great combat pictures.
Years later Tamiya would release this model in a beautiful 1/48 scale kit, and I had mine as soon as they hit the shelf at my favorite hobby store.
This kit is really nice, no fit issues at all, a little lite on interior detail, but with a little help by the modeler this can be brought up to a very satisfying level.
The model was painted with Model Master enamels and the decals are from Aeromaster. The model was petty much build out of the box except for some scratch built cockpit details including custom seatbelts.
I have a self made rule of never talking about my model show successes on these posting, however an interesting / funny story occurred with this model about 10 years ago.
I had just finished my Mosquito MK VI and was worried that there would not be very many models entered in this category at the up coming IPMS Oregon show. I decided to take this Beaufighter to beef of the category. As it turned out this little dude won knocking out my Mosquito, and another Beaufighter (belonging to a good friend of mine) that had all sorts of after market goodies and was absolutely beautiful. We were both extremely surprised. Years later my friend Dave still brings this story up, and I too learned a valuable lesson about not competing against yourself at a show.
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Julian Shawyer said on November 8, 2017
Excellent finish.
neil foster said on November 8, 2017
I’ve built one of these as well and I can agree it is a great kit, it’s a Tamiya – what else would you expect.
Great work on a great kit.
N.
Marc Barris said on November 8, 2017
Very nice indeed.
Rob Pollock said on November 8, 2017
Good job and well presented.
Jeff Bailey said on November 8, 2017
Beautifully done, Terry.
Craig Abrahamson said on November 8, 2017
Love that subtle camo job, Terry…nice work.
Marvin Reyes said on November 8, 2017
Quality never gets old…Great job, Terry.
David Mills said on November 8, 2017
Lovely build Terry!
Greg Kittinger said on November 8, 2017
It’s a beautiful Beau Terry!
Morne Meyer said on November 8, 2017
Terry this is a great looking Beaufighter. I am currently building a SAAF Beaufighter. You can follow my progress in the Work In Progress Group. You did an amazing job on this one. Well done!!!
Terry Schuler said on November 8, 2017
Thanks Morne, I really like the SAAF markings and have the decals for both 1/48 scale and 1/72 scale models, I really look forward to what you’ll bring us.
Gary Brantley said on November 8, 2017
Oh yeah! I really like that, great job Terry!! 🙂
David Hansen said on November 8, 2017
Remember, you could always build another one as a silver, yellow, and black target tug…..
Terry Schuler said on November 8, 2017
Nope, sorry Dave ain’t going there !, but I do have a nice 1/72 scale MKX I got from a good friend that is on my list.
Robert Royes said on November 8, 2017
Real nice Terry!
Louis Gardner said on November 8, 2017
Very Nice !!!! Fantastic job on your Beaufighter……….. I like it ………… a lot !!!
Tom Cleaver said on November 8, 2017
No problem seeing why it won. Nice work.
Terry Schuler said on November 9, 2017
Thanks Tom !, every once in awhile a everything just falls into place on a build, or should I say, I just couldn’t find a way to screw it up.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on November 9, 2017
Terry, that is nicely put! I’m gonna add that to the phrase locker.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on November 8, 2017
Beautiful Beaufighter!
George Williams said on November 9, 2017
The Beaufighter has always been one of my favourites ever since building the original Airfix 1/72 kit when I was kid. This is a million miles from my old model, truly a winner.
Terry Schuler said on November 9, 2017
Thanks George, the one that impressed me when I first got this kit was how big this is in 1/48 scale, and it actually has some unexpected weight to it also. I’ve also built one in 1/72 scale, its a little nicer on shelf space.
David A. Thomas said on November 9, 2017
I love the Beaufighter and you’ve done a great job, Terry.